Overcoming a Personal Challenge

Jose Alfredo Escobar 18 years of age, yesterday embodied the Special Olympics Athlete Pledge: "I want to win but if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt."
He came to Puerto Rico with a personal challenge and yesterday in preliminary 25 meter backstroke competition succeeded. For the first time, he swam in a center lane. He always trained and competed at the edge of the pool. In the preliminaries he proved he was courageous and that you always have to go one step further. When departing, his expression demonstrated that he had succeeded, that he had overcome his fears.
For the entire delegation and especially for his coach Sandra de Martinez this achievement is worth more than any medal.